Patents by Inventor Ken Healy
Ken Healy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240069007Abstract: Devices for improved nanopore sensing are described. An example device has a structure arranged to separate an analyte reservoir and an outlet chamber. An example device has a structure arranged to separate an analyte reservoir and an outlet chamber. The structure can include an array of nanopore structures, each nanopore structure comprising a passage for fluid connection through the structure between the analyte reservoir and outlet chamber. Control terminals can be arranged for applying a control signal to alter the electrical potential difference across that nanopore structure. Some embodiments include an electronic circuit configured to detect a signal from an electrical transduction element at each nanopore structure. Additional structural features and methods of operating and making the devices are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLCInventors: Ping Xie, Justin Mills, Ken Healy
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Patent number: 11789006Abstract: Devices for improved nanopore sensing are described. An example device has a structure arranged to separate an analyte reservoir and an outlet chamber. An example device has a structure arranged to separate an analyte reservoir and an outlet chamber. The structure can include an array of nanopore structures, each nanopore structure comprising a passage for fluid connection through the structure between the analyte reservoir and outlet chamber. Control terminals can be arranged for applying a control signal to alter the electrical potential difference across that nanopore structure. Some embodiments include an electronic circuit configured to detect a signal from an electrical transduction element at each nanopore structure. Additional structural features and methods of operating and making the devices are described.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLCInventors: Ping Xie, Justin Millis, Ken Healy
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Publication number: 20230228732Abstract: There is disclosed a nanopore support structure comprising a wall layer comprising walls defining a plurality of wells, and overhangs extending from the walls across each of the wells, the overhang defining an aperture configured to support a membrane suitable for insertion of a nanopore. There is further disclosed a nanopore sensing device comprising a nanopore support structure, and methods of manufacturing the nanopore support structure and the nanopore sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLCInventors: Ping Xie, Justin Millis, Ken Healy, James Anthony Clarke, Jason Robert Hyde, Richard Kenneth John Wiltshire, Jonathan Edward McKendry, Robert Greasty, Clive Gavin Brown, loana Pera, Gurdial Singh Sanghera, Mark Hyland, Pedro Miguel Ortiz Bahamon, Mark David Jackson, Paul Raymond Mackett, Rhodri Rhys Davies
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Publication number: 20210205814Abstract: Droplet interfaces are formed between droplets in an electro-wetting device comprising an array of actuation electrodes. Actuation signals are applied to selected actuation electrodes to place the droplets into an energised state in which the shape of the droplets is modified compared to a shape of the droplets in a lower energy state and to bring the two droplets into proximity. The actuation signals are then changed to lower the energy of the droplets into the lower energy state so that the droplets relax into the gap and the two droplets contact each other thereby forming a droplet interface. The use of sensing electrodes in the device permit electrical current measurements across the droplet interface. The sensing electrodes can be used for either (i) applying a reference signal during droplet actuation or (ii) recording electrical current measurements. Two or more electrodes are configurable to lyse cells within a droplet positioned over said electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Matthew Holden, Ken Healy
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Patent number: 10876157Abstract: Disclosed are insulated nanoelectrode associated with nanopores, useful in macromolecular analysis devices. Also disclosed are related methods of fabrication and use.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: The Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventors: Marija Drndic, Ken Healy, Vishva Ray, Lauren J. Willis, Neil Peterman, John Bartel
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Publication number: 20200292521Abstract: Devices for improved nanopore sensing are described. An example device has a structure arranged to separate an analyte reservoir and an outlet chamber. An example device has a structure arranged to separate an analyte reservoir and an outlet chamber. The structure can include an array of nanopore structures, each nanopore structure comprising a passage for fluid connection through the structure between the analyte reservoir and outlet chamber. Control terminals can be arranged for applying a control signal to alter the electrical potential difference across that nanopore structure. Some embodiments include an electronic circuit configured to detect a signal from an electrical transduction element at each nanopore structure. Additional structural features and methods of operating and making the devices are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: Oxford Nanopore Technologies Inc.Inventors: Ping Xie, Justin Millis, Ken Healy
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Patent number: 10761043Abstract: Provided are graphene-based nanopore and nanostructure devices, which devices may include an insulating layer disposed atop the graphene, which can be in a planar shape or nanostructured into a ribbon or other shapes, containing a single graphene layer or several layers. Graphene layers and nanostructures can be placed nearby horizontally or stacked vertically. Also provided are related methods of fabricating and processing such devices and also methods of using such devices in macromolecular analysis.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: The Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventors: Marija Drndic, Ken Healy, Meni Wanunu, Christopher Ali Merchant, Matthew Puster, Kimberly Elizabeth Venta
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Publication number: 20200179880Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming apertures in a solid state membrane using dielectric breakdown are provided. In one disclosed arrangement a plurality of apertures are formed. The membrane comprises a first surface area portion on one side of the membrane and a second surface area portion on the other side of the membrane. Each of a plurality of target regions comprises a recess or a fluidic passage opening out into the first or second surface area portion. The method comprises contacting all of the first surface area portion of the membrane with a first bath comprising ionic solution and all of the second surface area portion with a second bath comprising ionic solution. A voltage is applied across the membrane via first and second electrodes in respective contact with the first and second baths comprising ionic solutions to form an aperture at each of a plurality of the target regions in the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: Oxford Nanopore Inc.Inventors: Ping Xie, Ken Healy, Justin Millis
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Patent number: 10596523Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming apertures in a solid state membrane using dielectric breakdown are provided. In one disclosed arrangement a plurality of apertures are formed. The membrane comprises a first surface area portion on one side of the membrane and a second surface area portion on the other side of the membrane. Each of a plurality of target regions comprises a recess or a fluidic passage opening out into the first or second surface area portion. The method comprises contacting all of the first surface area portion of the membrane with a first bath comprising ionic solution and all of the second surface area portion with a second bath comprising ionic solution. A voltage is applied across the membrane via first and second electrodes in respective contact with the first and second baths comprising ionic solutions to form an aperture at each of a plurality of the target regions in the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Inventors: Ping Xie, Ken Healy, Justin Millis
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Publication number: 20180141007Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming apertures in a solid state membrane using dielectric breakdown are provided. In one disclosed arrangement a plurality of apertures are formed. The membrane comprises a first surface area portion on one side of the membrane and a second surface area portion on the other side of the membrane. Each of a plurality of target regions comprises a recess or a fluidic passage opening out into the first or second surface area portion. The method comprises contacting all of the first surface area portion of the membrane with a first bath comprising ionic solution and all of the second surface area portion with a second bath comprising ionic solution. A voltage is applied across the membrane via first and second electrodes in respective contact with the first and second baths comprising ionic solutions to form an aperture at each of a plurality of the target regions in the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: Oxford Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Ping Xie, Ken Healy, Justin Millis
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Patent number: 9658206Abstract: A method for multiplex characterization of individual particles by their size, shape, mechanical properties (deformability), and chemical affinity to recognition agents. The analysis can be performed from concentrated solutions. The method detects transient sticking of particles in the pore and points to its location along a pore axis. If a pore is decorated with a recognition agent for an analyte present in a solution, it is possible to distinguish specific binding at the place of the recognition agent, and non-specific adsorption of the analyte. The method confirms whether any individual particle or hydrogel completely translocates the pore and allows unambiguous detection and characterization of multiple particles or hydrogels in the pore, which would previously corrupt the results, so that higher analyte concentrations can be used for faster analysis.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Zuzanna S. Siwy, Kenneth J. Shea, Ken Healy, Laura Michele Innes, Matthew Schiel, Matthew Pevarnik
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Publication number: 20150232923Abstract: Disclosed are insulated nanoelectrode associated with nanopores, useful in macromolecular analysis devices. Also disclosed are related methods of fabrication and use.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2013Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Marija Drndic, Ken Healy, Vishva Ray, Lauren J. Willis, Neil Peterman, John Bartel
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Publication number: 20140332381Abstract: A method for multiplex characterization of individual particles by their size, shape, mechanical properties (deformability), and chemical affinity to recognition agents. The analysis can be performed from concentrated solutions. The method detects transient sticking of particles in the pore and points to its location along a pore axis. If a pore is decorated with a recognition agent for an analyte present in a solution, it is possible to distinguish specific binding at the place of the recognition agent, and non-specific adsorption of the analyte. The method confirms whether any individual particle or hydrogel completely translocates the pore and allows unambiguous detection and characterization of multiple particles or hydrogels in the pore, which would previously corrupt the results, so that higher analyte concentrations can be used for faster analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Zuzanna S. Siwy, Kenneth J. Shea, Ken Healy, Laura Michele Innes, Matthew Schiel, Matthew Pevarnik
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Publication number: 20130309776Abstract: Provided are graphene-based nanopore and nanostructure devices, which devices may include an insulating layer disposed atop the graphene, which can be in a planar shape or nanostructured into a ribbon or other shapes, containing a single graphene layer or several layers. Graphene layers and nanostructures can be placed nearby horizontally or stacked vertically. Also provided are related methods of fabricating and processing such devices and also methods of using such devices in macromolecular analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIAInventors: Marija Drndic, Ken Healy, Meni Wanunu, Christoper Ali Merchant, Matthew Puster, Kimberly Elizabeth Venta